Analysis Whitewater River Rafting - General Whitewater river rafting is a thrill sport with inherent risk and participants undertake the sport intentionally seeking excitement. As a reminder of the integral risk, rafting passengers are required to sign a waiver acknowledging that they are willingly and knowingly participating in an adventure pursuit. Managing the risk through a strong safety culture and adherence to formal and informal standards is fundamental to sustaining the whitewater rafting industry. Passenger Participation and Safety The safe passage of a raft travelling through turbulent water requires passengers to vigorously paddle in a specific direction when so ordered by the rafting guide. If passengers do not have the collective physical strength or cognitive awareness to successfully carry out such commands in a timely manner, there is an increased risk of capsizing. In this particular instance, the team leader lost the use of a steering oar at a critical time. Although they instantly followed his commands, passengers collectively lacked the paddle power to prevent the raft from striking the mid-channel rock and throwing six people into the water. Given the young age of five of the passengers, the group did not have the necessary collective physical strength to turn the raft around and prevent it from striking the rock. Losing a steering paddle allowed the raft to quickly divert from its intended course into danger. Despite their best efforts, the combined strength of the paddlers was not sufficient to prevent the raft from striking the mid-channel rock and capsizing.Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors Losing a steering paddle allowed the raft to quickly divert from its intended course into danger. Despite their best efforts, the combined strength of the paddlers was not sufficient to prevent the raft from striking the mid-channel rock and capsizing. In the absence of mandatory nationwide safety standards, passengers may be at risk if rafting outfitters do not voluntarily apply safety standards with regard to training, adequate equipment, or both.Finding as to Risk In the absence of mandatory nationwide safety standards, passengers may be at risk if rafting outfitters do not voluntarily apply safety standards with regard to training, adequate equipment, or both. Since the fall of2003, Transport Canada (TC) has proposed the development of specific regulations applicable to inflatable boats that carry persons on excursions for remuneration. TC intends to introduce river-rafting safety measures as part of the new Special Purpose Vessels Regulations. These regulations will replace the current River Rafting Standards (TP8643). These new regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, PartI, in August2007. This will provide stakeholders and interested parties with an opportunity to forward their comments to the department. Final approval and publication in the Canada Gazette, PartII, is expected in late 2007. In the meantime, TC believes that voluntary application of sensible safety standards appears to be the norm for the industry.Safety Action Taken Since the fall of2003, Transport Canada (TC) has proposed the development of specific regulations applicable to inflatable boats that carry persons on excursions for remuneration. TC intends to introduce river-rafting safety measures as part of the new Special Purpose Vessels Regulations. These regulations will replace the current River Rafting Standards (TP8643). These new regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, PartI, in August2007. This will provide stakeholders and interested parties with an opportunity to forward their comments to the department. Final approval and publication in the Canada Gazette, PartII, is expected in late 2007. In the meantime, TC believes that voluntary application of sensible safety standards appears to be the norm for the industry.